Hi my name is Ryan and I suffer from wanderlust. Wanderlust, by definition, is a strong desire to travel. Oh boy do I have it! In my short life of 19 years, I have done quite a bit of traveling. It has left me longing for more. It's been about a year since my last major worldly adventure, but my significant other and I are dreaming about our next trip. In fact, we are currently working on a mood board about it as we speak.

Switzerland, Summer of 2015

When I first heard the term "wanderlust" I thought to myself, "Oh how cool. That seems like a really neat thing to have! It would make me seem super trendy yet adventurous." In reality, it hasn't done any of that. It just makes me seem even nerdier than I already am, because my interest in photography is always tied to it.

Wanderlust may sound like a dream, but it is not as glamorous as it seems. The feeling of longing to travel can come from anywhere or at any time. Advertisements in a store, buildings that resemble other places in the world can all bring this feeling to me, but the one that never fails to bring the feeling is Instagram.

"Grindelwald's View" Switzerland, Summer of 2015

I torture myself every day scrolling through my Instagram feed, which is filled with tons of adventurers and talented photographers who constantly remind me that my life is boring and I need to get out into the world, not stuck in this silly town. As lighthearted as it seems, it can really hit sometimes and can send me into a downward spiral. If I find myself sinking, I always try to bounce right back up by drinking tea or surrounding myself around my loved ones, but sometimes I still find the sadness lingering underneath.

"The Matterhorn" Switzerland, Summer of 2015

So there you go, now you know what it's like to really have wanderlust. It can be full of dreamy, inspiring moments, but there is also the dark side, filled with insecurities and sadness.